10k mi Road Trip Prep! '77, 210k mi

[AFB24911S]

Any tips to prepare for a 10,000 mile road trip around the country?

I'm taking my 1977 911S Targa, around the country for the whole month of April. Starting in Denver, then going to Houston, New Orleans, Miami, North Carolina, Avalon NJ, Pennsylvania, Boston, Ohio, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Yellowstone, Washington, San Francisco, San Jose, LA, San Diego, then down into Baja and back to Denver.

I've only put 3,000 miles on the car in my ownership. So far, my big fix list is:

-Oil leaks (think valve covers, but will look everywhere)
-Fuel gauge (think the gauge has the fault, I replaced the sending unit)
-Misc. body trim & seals
-Windshield wiper sprayers (they worked when I bought it, but either I'm out of fluid or the pump has quit)
-Fog lights (those also worked, but now don't)
-Heater hoses (slipping off the heat exchangers, would be nice to replace those and have as much heat as possible when wanted)
-Rewire headlight circuit to relays
-Replace fuel filter (can't find them on our host's website, though...)
-Pack oil to fill as needed throughout trip (gauge is reliable, already fixed that, and will check daily anyway)

What else should I consider doing? Are there any important things to bring besides fuses, belts, and some tools? Thanks in advance!

[rwest]

Sounds like a blast, I’m here in Saint Paul MN if you run into any issues or need a meal!

One piece of advice that I’ve heard and I think is a good one is don’t do any big projects on your car within 600 miles of going on a trip; you want to make sure everything is working right before you leave.

Do a search on road trips, there have been some good suggestions in many of them.

Good luck and post lots of pictures,
Rutager

[almostordinary]

Sounds like a fun trip!

My List of things to look at would be as follows:

AAA - Highest Tier.

Wheels/Tires:
- Bearings
- Inspect Shape of the spare
- Inspect Shape of all your tires
- Brakes all around
- Flush Brake Fluid
- New Brakes
- Inspect Brake Lines, maybe look at SS lines to mitigate heat going up I5 you will hit a lot of mountain passes.

Engine
- Not my strong suit with these, undergoing an LS swap now. My next G-Body will have a stock 3.2.

April...

AC
- Inspect AC, if you've got it.
- Recharge, even retrofit if you've got the time.

Comfort
- Do your homework on hotels in the areas you will want to hit.
- Closer to the date of the drive use a weather route app/site to foresee unfavorable conditions.
https://morecast.com/en/plan-your-route
- April is still tricky with some of the mountain passes unless you hit them mid-day.

Triple check all the fluids and have a bin for emergencies

[tratza]

While prepping for a drive long trip years ago I asked my favorite shop what to take. He said, "A young woman." I kept my wife now of 52 years together. My 1987 has over 200,000 miles and other than wear has needed almost nothing. Great cars.

[FA-18C]

Some good tips above, including checking wheel bearings, would add checking your CV axles - may crawl in there and make sure the boots are ripped, torque the bolts, collect some spare relays and fuses, cannot hurt to toss in your spares a fuel and oil filter, a couple of spark plugs. If the engine is mechanically solid, you are really looking at maybe a mid trip minor servicing...sounds like a fun trip!

[Otter74]

Sounds like a fantastic trip! I’ve been dying to take my SC on a trip from Chicago across the northern plains and Rockies to the PNW, down the coast, across the desert and then back home ever since I got it in 2017. But with a normal job it’s awfully hard to make 5 weeks off. I’ve manage a week and a half in the Rockies with it, though.

In addition to what’s been mentioned, I’d verify that your spare inflates and holds air, and also pack a tire plug kit so that you can fix a flat in your good tires if possible. Obviously a compressor, too. I’d probably go with one of those battery things from e.g. Ryobi.

You’ll want an oil change somewhere in the middle.

Make sure your top is good and latches and seals well.

[Ctopher]

I will say if you can move your trip up a month, March 9-13th to do the Hill Country Rallye 2023 in Kerville, TX. Amazing roads in the beautiful Hill country, amazing event with nothing but air cooled cars.

My little add to your list is making sure battery is in good shape, maybe have a jump box with you. And while you’re working on the car clean grounds all around. When I bought and drove mine home I had a few shocking moments when turning the key and nothing. Of course have a spare relay.

And something I did daily at the end of the day, when you park for the evening, clean the windshield and check the oil while she is hot. That way you can give the car a quick look over in the morning, fire her up and head out. I also carry some good cleaner (CarPro Elixir) to clean and give you a hydrophobic surface for bugs and of course rain.


CTopher

[77Targa0912]

Clean all the contacts on the entire fuse block and both sides of the each fuse themselves. Take spares of each fuse color. Frunk and engine compartment.

[Tea Tray]

Consider putting a tool kit together of the tools you actually use to do repair work.
While putting my engine back in, I segregated every tool I needed to do most repairs. I actually keep a paint stir stick to help guide the fan belt around the lower pulley.
Once the kit was together, I use it to do all my routine work to validate my madness.
Keep at least two good flashlights, a magnet to catch screws dropped into the engine tins (that’s why I didn’t use stainless hardware in certain spots), and a makeup mirror to help search.
I keep a 12v test light, a couple jumpers, and a 20’ long jumper.
In addition, I use a Fluke 365 meter, the best I’ve found yet.
Good luck with your trip!
Edit: Battery switch and make sure your dome lights go out when the door shuts (pesky door switch and relay issue).

[EC900]

The oil leaks need to be examined/inspected. Valve covers are the bottom end of a higher leak source and often blamed. Should start out with a fresh oil service and valve adjustment, essentially a basic tune up.
Washers not working was recently discussed here last week, nozzles and/or check valves or pump may just be clogged - easy fix, clean the tank too. You can test test function of the washer pump on the bench. If it cycles, it or the lines/fittings may be obstructed with gunk.
Keep a good LED 1000 lumen flashlight, rain gear, Leatherman tool, a couple of big plastic bags - I always keep 2 ‘Contractor’ 6mil trash bag in all my vehicles…both for laying down on, dirty flat tire or in a pinch used as a poncho, cellphone battery power source, plenty of cash including coins for old-time vending machines or laundry…and if all fails - plenty snacks and water while waiting for flatbed. When searching for motels, be aware some of the cheapest rates are not necessarily in the best locales.
Good luck !

[deftom]

Do you have a 5 blade fan? If yes, I would change it for an 11 one

[Showdown]

All the advice here is sound and there are lots of similar threads in the forums to reference.

One thing I’ll add, and it just happened to me on Sunday is that if you break down, you’re going to be waiting a long time for a tow.

I died in downtown Evanston and it took 3 hours for the tow to come. Luckily I was in a city so I just went errand shopping, got lunch and burned the time without stress.

I have been on the side of the road for 3 hours before and it sucked. Food, water, extra cell phone battery pack, a book, etc… these make a huge difference.

Also cash, cash makes things happen quickly when you need them to happen quickly.

Just food for thought.

[911SauCy]

Along with brakes (inspection), brake lines, brake fluid, wheel bearings, and CV boots/axle fastener torque...

...Inspect all of your fuel lines up front at the pump and in the engine compartment. Inspect for hardness and or cracking. These get rock hard and brittle over time and will break/leak at any moment leaving you stranded. Running new fuel lines through your car on a roadtrip isn't something you'd be able to do on the side of the road. Of course a temporary fix if need be could be muddled together.

Also, a spare fan belt and the proper tools to remove/replace. IMO, the fan belt truly is the achilles heel of an aircooled 911.

[carreradpt]

AFB, do the big tuneup and any electrical now or soon. Don't wait untill just before the trip. Getting a few miles on your work will help show any chinks in the armor before you hit the road. Sounds like it's going to be a fun one. Good luck to you.

[AFB24911S]

Thanks for all these great tips, I'm making a list!

I had the air-fuel ratio adjusted when I moved from CA to CO, should I make an effort to readjust once I get down to sea level?

[smadsen]

Others have posted of their travels every few days. If you have problems, no matter where, you're probably close to a helpful Pelican who would help you or direct you to the "right" fix-it shop in the neighborhood.

My '82 has 255,000 miles, case has never been opened. Although stuff does wear out, you've got at least 45,000+ more miles of motoring.

[chrisbalich]

I'd advise having a look at the ignition system.
Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, capacitor/points (do 77s have these?

Smartphone, AAA card, 12v charger for phone, tire kit, 12v compressor, fan belt & tools, water, granola bars, and cash are all great ideas and things I generally have in the car with me at all times.

I have found that a yoga mat is an excellent roadtrip companion. More comfortable to lay/kneel on to inspect the car or work on it. And if you find yourself on the side of the road for an extended period of time, much more comfortable to sit on than asphalt or gravel.

A fire extinguisher is another great thing to have in the car at all times, not just road trips. I have an Element E50 in my car. Starts like a road flare, runs for 50 seconds, never expires, and rated for any fire an old 911 can start.

And I agree with the poster who mentioned to jump on Pelican if you get in a jam. This board is a great resource to get some helpful tips or connect with a fellow Pelican who lives near by. There are a lot of out there with tools and garages and a fair bit of technical acumen.

[GH85Carrera]

All good advice above. For the actual trip a small set of tools, to do minor road side fixes. You are not likely going to be dropping the engine and doing a clutch job.

In my glove box at all times are a few things I carry. A 24 inch length of trimmer line. If your fuel door pull handle breaks, how do you put gas in? Practice with the length of string. Open the door, look at the latch, close the door, and open it with the string by threading the line around the latch, and pull back and the door pops open. Of course some spare fuses.

I also carry a motorcycle tire plug kit. For a nail or screw hole, even in a sidewall, plug the hole and get to a tire shop for a proper fix. Also carry a couple of large trash bags. If you indeed have to use the spare, be sure to put it on the front, and even if the flat is on the rear. Don't use the space saver on the rear. Put the rear tire in the bag to keep the car clean for wherever you stuff the rear tire.

A handful of zip ties, and a disposable painters suit, several pairs of rubber gloves, and a flashlight or two.

I have driven my 85 911 to 41 states, and Canada and my goal is to hit all the lower 48 states. I live in Oklahoma, so my start point is never more than a few thousand miles from the destination. I have been to Key West, northern Maine, and all the New England states. Our longest trip was just under 7,000 miles over two weeks.

Enjoy your trip! Your car was designed to roll down the highway and be driven. Enjoy the experience.

[Charlie V]

I always carry some emergency spares.

CDI box
Green wire
fuel pump
spare wire and wire nuts
multimeter
fuses/relays
fan belt
zip ties
tools
flashlight
latex gloves
an old sheet to lay on
AAA card and a plan to Uhaul home if needed - never had to use the "plan". But, have used the AAA card for others.

Over the years I have gone through the entire car rebuilding or reconditioning everything....and I mean everything to provide me with a detailed understanding of the car and to ensure all is good. And, complete all the regular maintenance when due - inspect/repack CV joints to adjust wheel bearing to replace brake pads and flush brake fluid. Each winter is a thorough inspection of the car to ensure all is ready for the next driving season. Winter is also when I complete planned repairs and upgrades.

I confidently use her for long distance trips into remote areas without cell service. The few times she stopped running, it was a simple fix - all seem to have been fuel pump related....fuse, relay, pump died, car alarm box died cutting off the fuel pump. Oh, and 1 tire puncture that I fixed with a plug.

A little prep ensures an enjoyable trip experience. I find an old Porsche to be a reliable car that only drives better the more you drive it on the open road.

[rwest]

Also, a few days before I leave on a road trip, I will check CV bolts, suspension hardware and lug nuts for tightness.

Detailing the interior and getting the glass real clean will add to your enjoyment. Bring glass cleaner and paper towels along to clean glass when you stop as bug death will be all over it.

Waterless car wash is nice to spruce it up occasionally.

Last tip, don’t put all of your snacks in a plastic bag, get a small box, cut the top off and arrange them all for easy access. Some people will set a roll of duct tape on the floor to keep drinks from tipping over.